I've been working on the Shoemate line recently. William Bonner Shoemate is the earliest confirmed relative I've found - and that largely from family records and memories. I've followed several different rabbit trails, but could not get any definitive information confirming or negating any one line.
There is a large Shoemate family centered in Bledsoe County, TN. There is a lot of information here. Still nothing confirming William Bonner's parents. I found the Bledsoe County page at FamilyHistory101 which explains that the county courthouse burned down on Dec. 9, 1909. This could explain why there are no marriage records for William Bonner Shoemate and Musie Dora Allison, married in 1875. It seemed as if he appeared our of nowhere. Maybe now I know why!
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
family history from 1600 to today
I've researched my family's genealogy on and off for the past several years and I'm posting the results here. This is a work in progress, of course, because while I've been able to verify a great deal, there is much more that is not verified and remains a matter of suspicion and hearsay. As I dig up new information, I'll add it, but doing this in blog form means early posts won't be corrected. If you look here for leads for your own research, please be sure to search through newer posts that might correct old info.
Many of the popular genealogy sites have been a big help in my research. I've become wary, though, of bad information being picked up and passed on as if it were verified by historical documents, even when it hasn't been. Just because a piece of information appears many times doesn't mean it's correct!
Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures and travelogs from future trips to the homes of my ancestors. In the meantime, I hope some of the information is helpful to you, as others' has been so helpful to me.
Many of the popular genealogy sites have been a big help in my research. I've become wary, though, of bad information being picked up and passed on as if it were verified by historical documents, even when it hasn't been. Just because a piece of information appears many times doesn't mean it's correct!
Hopefully I'll be able to post pictures and travelogs from future trips to the homes of my ancestors. In the meantime, I hope some of the information is helpful to you, as others' has been so helpful to me.